Rap and fashion are increasingly interlinked to the point where it seems every other rap verse namedrops at least 2 designer names. I collaborated with English illustrator Rebel Youth on these sketches of various rappers in various gear from current SS14 and FW14 collections. Time will tell if any of these outfits will come to fruition in the real life but hope you find the idea of Guwop in TB or Lil’B wearing Undercover as amusing as we did.

The upcoming 10th anniversary issue of V-MAN includes an editorial titled ‘Hip-Hop Oligarchs.’ The feature styled by Maryam Malakpour and shot by Carlos Serrao features Wiz Khalifa , A$AP Rocky, Big Boi and Future in an array of high fashion items including Givenchy and SLP. The above video channels grainy 1990s VCR footage and is a behind the scenes look at what transpired during the shoot.

At their core, runway shows are about creating a spectacle and Hood by Air certainly achieved that with their Fall/Winer 2013 Runway show ‘Boychild’ at Milk Studios. The brand has existed since 2007 but really blew up in 2012 with a little help from celebrity trendsetters such as Rihanna. An array of looks came marching down the lazer-lit runway, set to a pulsing dystopian soundtrack. They ranged from simple screen printed t-shirts to more elaborate pieces such as a zippered neoprene jacket. What I appreciate most about Hood by Air is that the brand is an honest and natural extension of the lifestyle that designer Shane Oliver and his cohorts have been leading for years. Don’t be suprised to even see the wildest HBA pieces at the next GHE20G0THIK party or in basement clubs and warehouse raves throughout New York. Self proclaimed fashion killa A$AP Rocky made an appearance closing out the show to the applause and cheering of many in the audience. 2013 promises to be an even bigger and better year for Hood by Air.

MTV Push brings this short clip which profiles rapper A$AP Rocky. In between bits of live performance the Harlem rapper speaks on his favorite labels at the Opening Ceremony men’s shop , his origins as a rap artist and what he hopes to achieve through his craft. Naturally his favorite items were by RAF SIMONS, KOMAKINO, JEAN PAUL GAULTIER, and OPENING CEREMONY. A worthwhile watch if you’re a fan of Rocky or Opening Ceremony.

The homie Wilbert Cooper hosts this brand show titled Noisey Raps. See live footage from the Long Live A$AP tour mixed in with candid behind the scenes interviews with A$AP Rocky, Danny Brown, Action Bronson, A-Trak and Schoolboy Q. There’s some fashion easter eggs in this clip see if you can peep the Rick Owens and Junya Watanabe jawnz in this clip.

A$AP Rocky made a stop in London to promote the release of his new album LIVELONGA$AP. On the way he collaborated with Oki-Ni choosing a selection of items from Rick Owens, Kenzo, Paul Smith, Margiela and more. You can shop his selections directly online HERE.

Hood by Air gave one of the most memorable and creative presentations of New York fashion week. Staged at the OUT hotel on the west side, the presentation was held on the astroturf rooftop and was fully interactive. All attendees were free to walk around, photograph and interact with the models. The collection itself took inspiration from 1990’s music and subculture. One shirt borrowed graphics from Aphex Twin while other pieces re-interpreted clothing that ranged from workwear to gothic. The end result was daring, different and true to head designer’s Shayne Oliver’s personal inspirations. It’s nice to see a collection like this that embraces the spirit of downtown New York culture in such a subversive way.

The brand has been making waves of late with heavyweight endorsers the like of A$AP Rocky and Venus-X and is selling out briskly worldwide. In the meanwhile you can purchase items from the HBA Classics line through Opening Ceremony and VFILES Store.

If you’ve been on the internet at all in the last 24 hours you’ve definitely seen A$AP Rocky’s new visuals for the hit-boy produced banger ‘Goldie’. This behind the scenes video gives viewers a glimpse into the making of Goldie is worth visiting simply for the awkward video call conversation between Rocky and Alexander Wang. Watching the whole interaction begs the question is Alex a rap fan on the low or is he trying to position himself and his brand on the relevancy bandwagon? I don’t have the answer but his OFWGKTAfrat-house themed party was a definite highlight of NYFW last September.

Without a doubt, A$AP mob is killing the rap game right now. Rocky in particular has one of the freshest sounds and looks in music period. Wassup is in the early lead for my favorite video of 2012. Being a big fan of 90’s rap videos, this definetly takes me back to that era.

Wassup

A.$.A.P Rocky teamed up with VICE to create a video inspired by Scarface, Belly, Enter The Dragon, The Warriors and, Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory.

The result is a video that follows A.$.A.P Rocky through a dreamy fantasy world filled with 40s, Ferari’s, homies and hoards of cash.

Hands on the Wheel – Schoolboy Q. Feat. A$AP Rocky

A Kid Cudi cover sung by Lykke Li turned trill. Nuff said.

Also as a bonus to our readers check out this video by Complex that features Jeremy Scott and A$AP Rocky speaking on personal style.